Theopolis Logo

Writing

Explore our collection of theological essays, biblical studies, and reflections on faith and culture.

See all
screenshot-2024-06-06-at-8-49-49-am
Biblical Theology

Incarnation, Church, & the New Heart

“And it shall be in those days when you are multiplied and increased in the land,” declares the Lord, “they shall say no more, ‘The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord.’ And it shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they miss it, nor…

by Mark HorneJune 6, 2004
e99a4713
Grace

Grace & Justice in Unexpected Places

Elsewhere, I have argued that there is grace in the so-called covenant of works (see, e.g., my colloquium essay, “A Response to ‘The Biblical Plan of Salvation,’” in The Auburn Avenue Theology: Pros and Cons , edited by Calvin Beisner (pages 118-148). It may be equally surprising to find justice…

by Rich LuskJune 6, 2004
amjd-rdwan-erymmvvsy1y-unsplash-1
Theologia

Trust & Obey

Years ago, as a layman, I had the privilege of attending a Bible study led by a gifted teacher. His story was interesting: back when he was a student he had been severely sanctioned for affirming that one must repent in order to be saved, that one must trust Jesus…

by Mark HorneJune 5, 2004
daniel-born-yw_qx-i8ln4-unsplash
Theologia

The World is Built on Faith

Believing that God really exists Defining “faith” is sometimes made too complicated. The theologian, Louis Berkhof, for example, distinguishes “faith in general” from “faith in the religious sense and particularly saving faith.” Berkhof’s core definition of saving faith is not so bad. He says that it is “a certain conviction,…

by Mark HorneJune 5, 2004
ben-white-qdy9ahp0mto-unsplash
Apostasy

The Children of Christians Are Christians

It is generally acknowledged that when Paul wrote letters to churches, he expected his letters to be read in the worship service to the congregation. It is interesting, then, that when Paul wrote letters to a congregation he could feel free to address children and tell them to obey their…

by Mark HorneJune 5, 2004
24542-cropped-john-calvin
Ecclesiology

Calvin on the Pastor and Community

Book 4 of Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion is a classic work of ecclesiology. This book is the longest section of the Institutes , showing Calvin’s deep interest in and love for the church. Among its many salutary features is a full scale exposition of those ecclesiastical leaders Calvin…

by Rich LuskJune 5, 2004

Showing page 224 of 309

See all

Showing page 6 of 43

See all

In a Beehive Far, Far Away

Max Gladstone doesn’t think that the human-looking creatures in Star Wars can be humans. After all, they inhabit a galaxy far, far away in a distant time. Humans evolved on earth, and fairly recently. He assembles the clues to their species identity. There are few women, yet the ones who…

May 12, 2014

Cold Warrior?

It’s popular to deride Putin as a throwback, a Cold Warrior out of his time. Peter Pomerantsev thinks this underestimates Putin’s grasp of contemporary geopolitical realities. A short story by one of Vladislav Surkov, an advisor to Putin, offers a clue to Putin’s strategy. Surkov’s story is about the fifth…

May 12, 2014

Reformational Catholicism Now

Pastor Tom Clark tells some stories of local catholicity at the Trinity House page this morning.

May 12, 2014

Tragedy of Disorder

King Lear is a tragedy of disorder, or so I argue at the Colson Center web site .

May 12, 2014

Ceaseless worship

When John enters heaven, he stumbles into a worship service. Four living creatures offer praise “day and night without cease” ( anapausis ), like the saints in 7:15 (like the temple servants in Leviticus 8:35; 1 Chronicles 9:33). The Lord exacts ceaseless day-and-night worship later on in the book: Those…

May 10, 2014

Ox, Lion, Eagle, Man

In Ezekiel and Revelation, the cherubim-living creatures are ox, lion, eagle, and man. If they represent the whole of living creation as worshipers, why are there no fish? Why two land creatures - ox and lion? Isn’t that discriminatory? Why not ox, crab, eagle, man? Other biblical lists of creatures,…

May 10, 2014

Showing page 613 of 2212

Browse by Category

In Medias Res

Your weekly digest for all things Theopolis.

Donate

Theopolis is nearly 100% donor-supported. Consider joining us on our mission.